Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarAizoaceaeTrianthema portulacastrum

Trianthema portulacastrum L.

Synonyms

Portulacastrum monogynum, Portulaca toston, Tetragonia chisimajensis, Trianthema flexuosum, Trianthema hydaspicum, Trianthema littoralis, Trianthema monogyna, Trianthema obcordata, Trianthema procumbens

Common names

Black pigweed, horse purslane

My notes

It was seen only in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms.

Extract from Wikipedia article

Trianthema portulacastrum is a species of flowering plant in the ice plant family known by the common names desert horse purslane, black pigweed, and giant pigweed. It is native to areas of several continents, including Africa and North and South America, and present as an introduced species in many other areas. It grows in a wide variety of habitat types and it can easily take hold in disturbed areas and cultivated land as a weed. It is an annual herb forming a prostrate mat or clump with stems up to a meter long. It is green to red in color, hairless except for small lines of hairs near the leaves, and fleshy. The leaves have small round or oval blades up to 4 centimeters long borne on short petioles. Solitary flowers occur in leaf axils. The flower lacks petals but has purple, petallike sepals. The fruit is a curved, cylindrical capsule emerging from the stem. It is up to half a centimeter long and has two erect, pointed wings on top, where the capsule opens.[+]

AI-generated description

Trianthema portulacastrum, also known as desert horse purslane, is a succulent annual herb native to tropical and subtropical regions. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in sandy and saline environments, often in areas with high temperatures and low rainfall. Studies have shown that T. portulacastrum is widely distributed in Qatar, particularly in the country's desert and coastal areas, where it can thrive in poor soil conditions. It is considered a common weed in Qatar, but its ability to tolerate harsh environmental conditions makes it an important species for understanding plant adaptation and survival in arid ecosystems.

Black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkBlack pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Prostrate plant of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkProstrate plant of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) with a flower on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkBlack pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) with a flower on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Flower of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkFlower of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Blooming black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkBlooming black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, August 21, 2015
LinkBlack pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, August 21, 2015
Location on mapsخط الوكير، Qatar
Black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
LinkBlack pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Close up of leaves of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
LinkClose up of leaves of black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Black pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) with a flower on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
LinkBlack pigweed (Trianthema portulacastrum) with a flower on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015
Location on mapsخط الوكير، Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

The plant Trianthema portulacastrum was observed growing on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms, south-western Qatar, on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2015. It was found to be a prostrate plant with flowers, often blooming in October. The flowers were observed to be open and unopened, and the leaves were also examined closely. The plant was seen growing in the same location over time, with observations recorded on October 25, 2014, August 21, 2015, and October 9, 2015. The consistency of its presence and growth pattern suggests that it is a common weed in the area, thriving under the center-pivot irrigation system. Its ability to bloom and produce flowers indicates that it is adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.